Essential Oils for Face Compresses for Your Skin Type

By Caryn Gehlmann, Clinical Aromatherapist

One of the most comforting ways to add essential oils to your wellness routine is to use essential oils for face compresses. Take a moment and imagine picking a warm, fluffy cloth from a bowl of perfectly scented, warm water. Wring it out and gently press the soft cloth to your face and inhale your favorite aroma… ahhhhh… it’s so relaxing and refreshing. If your body has relaxed a bit just thinking about this…. doing it will be even more relaxing!

Facial compresses aren’t just for spa days. I encourage you to make them a nurturing, nightly routine. They’re so good for you because…

• Your skin benefits from being hydrated, cleansed, and treated with the properties of essential oils.
• The warmth of the water stimulates circulation and supports glandular function. (All of these actions help to keep your skin vital and youthful.)
• Your psyche is uplifted, comforted, and renewed.
• It calms you for a good night’s sleep and prepares you to face a new day with joy.

Evening facial compressing can stand alone as a skincare treatment, or it can be used as a pre-cleanse step in your bedtime skincare routine.

Important Tip: thoroughly rinse a clean washcloth to remove any detergent residue. Unfortunately, there is detergent left behind even after a hearty spin in the rinse cycle of your washing machine—and detergents have no place in skincare. Use a clean washcloth, every time, because bacteria can grow quickly. Buying a package of twelve that you use exclusively for your facial compressing can be totally worthwhile.

Suggested essential oils for face compresses — according to skin type…

1. Fill the basin with cool, tepid, or warm water depending on your skin type. Avoid using water that is too cold or too hot.

Normal skin: tepid to warm

Oily skin: tepid

Dry skin: warm

Combination skin: warm

Sensitive skin: tepid to warm

Blemished skin: cool to tepid

Mature skin: warm

2. Choose essential oil for face compresses according to the properties that suit your skin type. The following are suggestions. This is not a comprehensive list. Other oils could be used, as long as they are skin-compatible. Put one or two drops in the basin of warm water and agitate the water to mix well.

Normal skin: Lavender, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Orange Sweet

Oily skin: Lavender, Geranium, Orange Sweet

Dry skin: Sandalwood, Geranium, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Combination skin: Lavender, Geranium, Ylang Ylang, Orange Sweet

Sensitive skin: German Chamomile, Rose

Blemished skin: Lavender, Geranium, Tea Tree, German Chamomile (esp. if inflamed)

Mature skin: Neroli, Lavender, Frankincense, Rose, Sandalwood

3. Lean over the basin, dip the washcloth in the water, wring slightly, and hold the washcloth to your face for a few moments. Keep your eyes closed. Breathe in the aroma.

Repeat the dipping and applying process at least five times. Of course, you can do as many as you like. At this point, you can continue with the rest of your skincare routine. For many, simply patting dry and applying a moisturizer completes the process.

Let us know how you experience this, and especially which essential oils were your favorites. You can read more articles about using essential oils according to your skin type on our blog. Please contact us if you have specific questions… we may even feature your question on the next Q & A with Caryn and we’ll send you a gift certificate toward e3 products!